Understanding Lighting
One of the most common questions I receive while planning a portrait session with my clients is, “What time of day should we do our portraits? Is morning or evening light better?”
Either time of day will give great lighting, and both have a period of golden light. The choice depends on your vision. My goal will always be to planning for photographic success while bringing your vision to life. Whether twilight, dusk or dawn we will plan for a time that works best for you.
When exactly is golden hour? The first hour after sunrise and the last hour of light before sunset is considered golden hour. During that time the sun naturally produces a warm light. The only difference is the same location will look different in the morning compared to evening as the direction of the sun moves across the sky.
Golden light is commonly favored by my clients. Understandable, the yellow in gold has way to convey powerful emotion. Standing for optimism, energy, and joy, it’s easy to grasp the visual sense of the warmth the Sun translates to the emotional warmth of a moment.
Blue hour on the other hand lends a nod to a sense of dreamland. The cool tones washing over the scene, tapping into a different romantic emotion through a sense of depth, tranquility, and imagination.
What are your photo dreams made of? Are your arms draped around each other, toasting to the start of a wonderful new day by each other’s side as you watch the sun rise over the ocean? Perhaps a stroll on the shoreline while the golden light kisses your hair and noses? Maybe your dreams are of the sky turning into cool hues of blues while you snuggle, saying goodbye to the day.
Of course, great photographs of all kinds can be created at any time of day, but below give you an idea into my recipe for beautiful lighting.
Morning Light
Dawn, warm, soft, pure
Just before the sun rises the sky filles with oranges, pinks, and purples that turns into a warm glow as it makes its way above the horizon. An hour or less after the sun
announces the day, we will have a dreamy pale golden light. Then the light changes as the sun moves higher in the sky, turning into a clean, white light.
Evening Light
Dusk, warm, rich, golden
As the sun sinks low in the sky in the early evening the light begins to turn into a rich, golden glow. The last hour before sunset naturally produces a lovely warm light that feels magical. Romanticizing and beautifying everything it illuminates.
After Sunset (No Light)
Dusk, cool, creamy, blue
The brief time of twilight where the sun has just gone below the horizon, is referred to as blue hour. Creamy, deep blue hues take over and giving your photos a naturally cool light that give off a mystical quality.
Diffused Light
Cloudy, overcast, soft
Diffused light completely depends on the weather. Overcast or cloudy days that allow for the sun to be covered create a scenario of little to no shadows. I enjoy this lighting situation incredibly because it creates this luscious, creamy skin tones by evenly distributed sunlight from every direction preventing bright highlights and dark shadows.
Mid-day Light
Afternoon, contrasty, harsh
Not impossible, but not ideal for an outdoor session. Bright sunlight overhead in the middle of the day creates very harsh contrast between the highlights and shadows. Shadows under the eyes and nose created at this time of day can be unflattering. In this situation where we must shoot in the middle of the day (for example a wedding) it’s important to be aware of the limitation of the light and find ways to work around it by shooting indoors or in complete shade.
Now I hope you have a better idea of what light fits the session in your dreams.
